3 Dielectric heating

Horst Linn, Malte Möller

3.1 Physical and Technical Basis

Dielectric heating is based on the use of microwaves or radio frequency (RF) waves for

heating of insulating material.

3.1.1 Microwaves and Radio Frequency Waves

Microwaves and RF waves are electromagnetic waves, comparable to light or radar waves.

The frequency spectrum most commonly used for dielectric heating is in the range of 3 MHz

to 30 GHz, corresponding to a wavelength of 100 m to 1 cm.

The heating effect of high frequencies is based on the interaction of the electric and magnetic

field, generated by the high frequency, with the insulating material. The applied field results

in a displacement of charged particles in the insulating material, giving rise to induced

dipoles. Dipoles (either induced dipoles or permanent dipoles like the water molecule)

respond to the electric field, which results in a transfer of power from the electric field to the

insulating material. This dissipated power results in a temperature increase of the material.

The factors that influence the dielectric heating can be found in equation (1) [1].

VEfP ²2 0 (1)

P = power taken up by material; f = frequency of high frequency wave; 0 = electric

field constant; “ = imaginary part of complex dielectric constant; E = electric field

strength; V = material volume

The main factors that influence the high frequency heating are: the frequency of the waves,

the dielectric properties of the material, the incident high frequency power and the material

volume. For a specific application where the material properties and the volume are given, the

induced power can only be influenced by the frequency and the incident power.

The dielectric properties of the material determine the interaction of the high frequency waves

with the material. The interactions can be: reflection, transmission and absorption.

Electrical conductive materials, like metals, do reflect most of the waves. The waves cannot

penetrate deeply into the material and, therefore, the dissipated power in the material is low.

For technical applications, these materials cannot be heated by microwaves.

Some materials have a very low interaction with the high frequency waves, resulting in a

transmission of most of the wave energy. Therefore the absorption is low, resulting in

practically no heat-up of the material. Common materials that show this effect are for

example: quartz glass, and PTFE.

Most materials belong to the group of lossy dielectrics, which absorb high frequency waves.

Depending on their dielectric properties, these materials absorb most of the incident waves,

converting them to heat. The waves can penetrate some distance into the material, resulting in

a volumetric heating. The penetration depth is defined by equation (2) [4].

2PD

0 (2)

PD = penetration depth; 0 = vacuum wave length; ‘ = real part of complex dielectric

constant; “ = imaginary part of complex dielectric constant

The penetration depth is defined as the depth at which the incident wave intensity is reduced

to 1/e (about 36,8%). This means that even in depths below the penetration depth, a certain

wave energy is still present, resulting in some heating. The penetration depth of most

technically interesting materials as a minimum is in the range of 5 cm to 10 cm, allowing for a

homogeneous heating of most industrial size products.

Plate 1: Dielectric properties and penetration depths of chosen materials at 25°C and 2.45

GHz [10]

Material ´ ´´ Penetration Depth

Aluminium Oxide 9 0,004 1460 cm

Silicon Carbide 10,4 0,9 7 cm

PTFE 2,1 0,0006 4700 cm

PVC 2,9 0,016 200 cm

Wood (40% H2O) 5,1 1,12 4,0 cm

Water 77,4 9,2 1,8 cm

3.1.2 Frequency Bands (ISM bands)

In the frequency spectrum of high frequency waves, certain frequency bands are allocated for

industrial use. These so-called ISM bands (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) are free to be

used by high frequency heating units without requiring special permissions by the national

telecommunication authorities. Equipment using high frequency waves of the ISM bands

must comply to EN 55011 / IEC 11 [7] and for microwave frequencies also to EN 60519-6 /

IEC 519-6 [8].

Plate 2: ISM frequencies and corresponding wavelengths [7]

ISM frequency wavelength

6,78 MHz 15 kHz 4424,8 cm

13,56 MHz 7 kHz 2212,4 cm

27,12 MHz 0,163 MHz 1106,2 cm

40,68 MHz 0,02 MHz 737,5 cm

433,92 MHz 0,87 MHz 69,14 cm

915 MHz 25 MHz 32,79 cm

2,45 GHz 50 MHz 12,24 cm

5,8 GHz 75 MHz 5,17 cm

24,125 GHz 125 MHz 1,36 cm

Some of the ISM frequencies given in plate 2 may differ in certain countries. For example, in

the UK the frequency 896 MHz is used instead of 915 MHz.

For industrial microwave heating units the frequencies 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz are most

commonly used. For special applications the frequency 5.8 GHz is increasingly used.

For radio frequency applications, the frequencies 13.56 MHz and 27.12 MHz are most

commonly used.

3.1.3 Microwave Generators (Magnetron)

The type of microwave generator most frequently used is the magnetron. Magnetrons were

developed in the 1950s for radar applications and have been used for microwave heating since

the discovery of this application for high frequency waves.

Magnetrons are produced with an output power ranging from 200 W to 60 kW or even higher.

The majority of the magnetrons are produced with an output power between 800 W and 1200

W for household microwave ovens. Those magnetrons with very low power are commonly

used in medical applications, while those with high power are used for industrial heating and

research applications.

Due to the mass production of magnetrons with a power of about 800 W to 1200 W, the price

for these magnetrons is comparatively low. Therefore, these magnetrons are also used for

industrial heating applications.

During operation the magnetrons must be cooled to prevent overheating. Magnetrons with a

power up to about 2 kW are usually air-cooled, while those with a higher power are usually

water cooled, requiring water re-circulation units. Those magnetrons also require the use of

special protection equipment against reflected power that could overheat and destroy the

magnetron. Low power magnetrons are more robust and can be operated without the

protection equipment.

There are many other types of microwave generators, like klystrons or traveling wave tubes.

None of these generator types are used for industrial microwave heating as the costs are too

high compared to magnetrons.

3.1.4 Radio Frequency Generators

Radio frequency waves are usually generated by tube or semiconductor generators. Tube

generators use a vacuum tube for generating the high frequency waves. Semiconductor

generators are a comparatively new development for industrial heating and have only a

limited output power. Tube generators can have an output power of several 100 kW.

3.1.5 Microwave- and Radio Frequency Heating

In a high frequency heating process, the high frequency waves heat the lossy dielectric in the

complete volume by penetrating into the material, depending on the penetration depth of the

waves. Provided the material is not too thick, the high frequency waves transfer more or less

the same amount of energy to every volume element of the material, resulting in a

homogeneous temperature increase of the material. Theoretically this would give every

volume element the same temperature. In a practical situation the surface of the material

would loose heat to the ambient atmosphere, which is not heated by the high frequency

waves. Therefore the surface temperature is reduced, resulting in a temperature profile where

the highest temperature is in the inside, while the lowest temperature is on the surface of the

material. This temperature profile is inverse to the one of conventional heating processes.

Picture 1: Temperature profile for conventional and dielectric heating

High frequency heating is governed by the dielectric properties of the material. The dielectric

properties depend on the frequency, and temperature.

The dielectric properties of some materials are mainly dependent on temperature, whereby the

coupling is increased as the temperature increases. These materials are prone to a thermal

runaway effect that is initially caused by low temperature differences in the material. Those

areas that have a slightly higher temperature than the surrounding material take up more

energy due to better coupling to the high frequency waves. This results in a faster temperature

increase, which in turn leads to even better coupling and increased energy take-up, and so on.

This thermal runaway can result in local destruction or even melting of the material.

3.2 Design, Construction and Application

3.2.1 Microwave Chambers

In genera, two different types of microwave chambers or cavities can be distinguished. In

Single Mode cavities a single standing wave pattern is generated, while in Multi Mode

cavities a large number of resonant modes is supported.

Picture 2: Wave pattern in different Single Mode cavities

left side: TE10 mode, right side: TM01 mode

The standing wave that is supported by a Single Mode cavity depends on the frequency and

the dimensions of the cavity. Various wave patterns exist and are differentiated by the number

and position of the maxima of the electric and magnetic field.

The technically most important wave patterns are the TE10 and TM01 mode (picture 2). The

TE10 mode is supported in a rectangular cavity, having the maximum of the field intensity in

the middle of the cavity.

In a cylindrical cavity, the TM01 mode is supported, having the maximum of the field intensity

in the axis of the cavity.

Single Mode cavities have the advantage that very high electric field strengths can be

achieved. Also the knowledge of the electromagnetic field configuration enables the dielectric

material under treatment, to be placed in the position of the maximum electric field. This

results in a high absorption of the incident wave.

Despite these advantages, the use of Single Mode cavities in technical applications is limited

due to size restrictions of the cavities. The cross section of the cavities for a specific wave

pattern depends on the frequency. For a certain frequency, the cross section is fixed and may

not be altered without changing the wave pattern. Therefore Single Mode cavities are mainly

used for comparatively small products.

In a Multi Mode cavity the superposition of the large number of resonant modes that are

supported by the cavity is used to generate a comparatively even microwave field in the useful

volume of the cavity. Therefore it is advantageous to generate as many different resonant

modes as possible to improve the homogeneity of the electromagnetic field.

Multi Mode cavities are not limited in their dimensions and therefore very large heating

chambers can be realized. The advantage of the Multi Mode chamber is the even microwave

field that enables the heating of large or complex shaped products. In comparison to Single

Mode cavities the Multi Mode systems have a relatively low electric field strength, resulting

in lower heating rates.

Picture 3: Multi Mode microwave chamber with rotating table

3.2.2 Radio Frequency Units

In a radio frequency heating unit, the high frequency field is generated between two or more

electrodes. The shape of the electrodes determine the shape of the generated field. Although

many electrode shapes are possible, two types of electrodes are most commonly used. These

are rod electrodes and plate electrodes.

For heating, the lossy dielectric is placed between or over the electrodes. The electric field

strength is determined by the frequency, the applied voltage and the distance of the electrodes.

The technically reasonable distance of the electrodes is limited by the applied voltage. With

increasing electrode distances the required voltage to maintain the electric field strength also

increases. The maximum electrode distance and thus the maximum product thickness is

determined by the necessity to avoid arcing between the electrodes.

3.2.3 Chamber Designs

Batch Units

Microwave Batch Units

The basic design of a microwave batch unit is a metallic cavity to which one or more

microwave generators are connected, having at least one opening for loading/unloading

closed by a kind of closure.

For technical applications the cavity is usually a Multi Mode design, while Single Mode

designs are mostly used for high temperature research applications. The Multi Mode

chambers usually cover the range of some litres to several cubic meters. For industrial

applications the chamber is often especially designed for the product to be treated. As a rule

of thumb, the chamber volume should be several times the volume of the product. This is

required for the homogeneous heating of the product.

The microwave generators may be connected to the cavity in different ways. For industrial

batch units, a common method is to place the magnetron on the chamber wall, so that the

antenna is inside the cavity. Another option is to connect the magnetron to the chamber with a

short waveguide, called launcher. For high power special applications it is not uncommon to

separate the cavity from the microwave generator and connect both by a longer piece of

waveguide.

The opening of the cavity is usually closed by a kind of metallic door. This door may be

sliding or hinged doors or alternatively flexible rolling curtains made of metal lamellas. The

door must be protected against excessive microwave leakage. Usually this is done by ensuring

that there is a conductive contact between the door and the chamber frame. Alternatively a so

called “choke structure” may be used that terminates the microwaves without needing a

metallic contact.

To increase the homogeneity of the microwave field it is possible to use active elements like

mode-stirrers or to move the product (i.e. rotating table).

Picture 4: Microwave Multi Mode batch unit for large products

Radio Frequency Batch Units

In RF batch units the heated area is defined by the shape and placement of the electrodes. The

product is placed between the electrodes for heating. Usually the distance of the electrodes

may be adjusted to match the product. A chamber or cage around the electrodes is usually

required only for protection against RF leakage.

Continuous Units

Microwave Continuous Units

A continuous microwave heating unit is defined by the more or less continuous movement of

the product through the heating area. It is possible to use either Single Mode or Multi Mode

cavities as continuous units.

In Multi Mode units, the product transport is usually accomplished by a transport belt or, in

some cases, by transport rollers. The microwave chamber is usually adjusted to the product

and may be rectangular, circular or polygonal in cross-section. As in batch type units it is

necessary that the volume of the microwave chamber is higher than the product volume. The

connection of the microwave generators to the cavity may be done in the same way as in

batch units.

A continuous unit usually has two openings in the microwave chamber, one at each end of the

unit. The openings must be protected against excessive microwave leakage by either an

absorbing tunnel or doors. For truly continuous operation, absorbing tunnels are used at each

opening. They are lined with a special material that absorbs the microwave leakage. The

required length of the absorbing tunnel depends on the opening size and the microwave power

of the unit.

If doors are used to close the openings at both ends, the process will be intermittent as the

microwave power must be switched off when the doors are opened.

Picture 5: Microwave Multi Mode continuous belt unit

In Single Mode chambers the product must be placed at the maximum of the wave pattern.

For the TM01 mode in cylindrical cavities this is in the axis of the chamber and for TE10 in

rectangular cavities this is along the axis through the broad side of the cavity. Due to the high

field strength in Single Mode systems, these are usually comparatively small. As discussed in

chapter 3.2.1, the product size is very limited for these units.

For these small products it is usually possible to use attenuation tubes for leakage protection.

These are based on a certain relation between diameter and length of the tube to prevent

microwave leakage.

Picture 6: Single Mode TM01 continuous operation unit

Radio Frequency Continuous Units

A continuous RF unit is very similar to a batch system with the only exception that the

material move over or between the electrodes. Due to the highly concentrated electric field

between the electrodes this setup is especially suitable for fast heating of thin sheets.

Special Units

Theoretically most designs of conventionally heated furnaces can also be adapted to high

frequency heating if special care of the requirements of the high frequency waves is taken.

For example, a microwave rotary tube furnace has been realized, using a microwave

transparent tube through which the microwaves heat the product inside the tube.

3.2.4 Areas of Application

High frequency waves are used for heating in those areas where the heating process can

benefit the most from the advantages of high frequency heating.

In general these advantages are: fast heating, volumetric heating, high efficiency, good

control, and better product quality.

The advantages of fast and volumetric heating are the most important. Most conventional

heating processes are limited by the heat conductivity and physical alterations of the product

(i.e. evaporation of liquids, phase transformations). As high frequency heating is independent

of the heat conductivity of the product and is a volumetric heating, the heat-up time is much

shorter than for conventional heating. Due to its inverse temperature profile, dielectric heating

can also improve the drying speed of a product without risking damages to the material.

The actual areas of application for dielectric heating are simply too many to be listed here.

The next chapter will give some examples of applications. Most of the high frequency heating

units are used for drying, the remainder being divided into curing, sterilization, high

temperature applications, research and special applications.

The industry branches were dielectric heating is mostly used are: ceramic, food, rubber,

chemistry and building materials.

RF heating is used in some areas of applications where the special advantages of this heating

method can be realised, but most high frequency heating is done by microwaves due to its

higher flexibility.

3.2.5 Examples of Dielectric Heating

Microwave Drying of Heat Insulation Materials

Conventional drying of heat insulation plates is done in batch dryers, having drying times of

12 to 24 hours, depending on the thickness of the product. This is the result of the low heat

conductivity of these materials and the high water content.

The microwave drying process is accomplished in a continuous microwave belt drier with a

drying time of 30 to 45 minutes. Due to the continuous drying process, the space requirements

for the microwave dryer are much lower and loading/unloading of the batch driers is avoided.

Microwave Treatment of Cork Stoppers

Conventionally produced natural cork stoppers for wine bottles have a high risk of bringing

the so called cork taste to the wine. The cork taste is actually a chemical product of micro-

organisms living inside the cork stopper. Conventional sterilization processes are ineffective

against this problem as the natural cork is a very good heat insulator, making it nearly

impossible to reach sterilization temperatures inside the stopper without destroying the

material.

A special microwave process will sterilize the complete volume of the stopper and at the same

time remove the taste from the cork. The treatment is done in continuous microwave belt

units, each treating about 1.5 million cork stoppers per day.

Picture 7: Microwave continuous belt unit for treatment of cork stoppers (Picture Linn High

Therm/Ohlinger)

Microwave Drying of Grinding Wheels

For the fast drying of ceramic grinding wheels large microwave batch driers with chamber

volumes of about 20 m³ are used. The large industrial grinding wheels are placed on drying

racks, which in turn are placed in the microwave chamber. Compared to conventional hot-air

drying, the microwaves allow much faster drying, which gives more flexibility to the

production process and reduces the space requirements for the drying chambers.

Picture 8: Microwave chamber dryer for drying of ceramic grinding wheels (Picture Linn

High Therm)

Microwave Curing of FRP Material

Special Single Mode microwave units are used for the curing of fibre reinforced plastics

(FRP) of rod or cable shape,. Due to the special field pattern in the cavity, the field is

concentrated in the product, resulting in very fast heating of the FRP. Therefore a heating

zone of only 30 cm is sufficient to heat the product. Contrary to conventional heating from the

surface, the microwaves heat the complete volume, giving better curing results.

Radio Frequency Drying of Wood Glue

The gluing of wood is conducted under pressure to ensure good contact of the gluing faces.

The pressure is applied vertically to the gluing face. Depending on the position of the product,

the pressure may be applied directly by the RF electrodes or by a separate system. Two

different methods are distinguished: parallel- and transverse heating.

For parallel heating, the gluing face is parallel to the electric field lines and, therefore, vertical

towards the electrode plates. The pressure is applied parallel to the electrode plates.

For transverse heating, the gluing face is parallel to the electrode plates and transverse to the

electric field. The pressure can be applied directly by the electrode plates.

3.3 Process Technology and Process Control

3.3.1 Control of Microwave and RF Units

Depending on the application microwave heating units may have pulse-, phase- or non-

controlled magnetrons. For pulse controlled magnetrons, the microwave power is constantly

switched on and off to achieve an average power of the desired value. Phase controlled

magnetrons can be adjusted continuously between typically 15% and 100% of its maximum

power. Non-controlled magnetrons are either switched on at full power or off.

The choice which kind of control is used depends on the application. For applications that

require good control of the incident power, like laboratory applications or those with fast

changing throughputs, either pulse- or phase-control is used. For industrial applications with

constant throughputs, it is usually sufficient to use non-controlled magnetrons. The number of

activated magnetrons is set during process development and saved in the PLC program.

Control of RF units is usually done by a radio frequency matching element to adjust the

generator and the incident power to the product.

3.3.2 Measurement Techniques

The most important parameter to be measured in thermo processing units is the temperature.

While it is usually sufficient for the control of conventional process to know the furnace

temperature, for dielectric heating, the product temperature is usually much higher than the

furnace temperature. Therefore, it is usually necessary to measure the product temperature for

control of dielectric heating units. Either contact- or non-contact measurement techniques

may be used to measure the product temperature

Probably the most common contact temperature measurement method is the thermocouple.

Unfortunately the application of thermocouples in dielectric heating is limited as the electric

field of the units may interfere with the measurement. It is possible to shield the thermocouple

to reduce the problem, but for certain applications with high electric field strengths, the

shielded thermocouple may still be unsuitable.

A contact temperature measurement method that was specially developed for dielectric

heating and similar applications is the so called optical fibre thermometer (OFT). This

technology is based on a special sensor material that emits or reflects light depending on its

temperature. The sensor material is placed on the tip of a glass fibre that transmits the emitted

or reflected light to a control unit which calculates the temperature of the sensor. Due to the

optical measuring principle, the measurement is not affected by the electromagnetic field of

dielectric heating.

The most common non-contact temperature measurement method is the pyrometer. These

units detect the infrared light that is emitted by any material and calculate the surface

temperature based on the adjusted emission factor. Unlike the contact measurement

techniques, pyrometers can only measure the surface temperature.

When comparing temperature measurements of conventional and dielectric heating processes,

the inverse temperature profile of dielectric heating has to be considered for correct

interpretation of the results.

3.4 Design Criteria, Limitations

3.4.1 Design Criteria

The choice of the basic cavity design, and/or type of electrode (Single Mode or Multi Mode

and rod or plate electrodes) and the basic process (batch or continuous) depends on the

production process and the product and is usually limited. The actual design of the dielectric

heating unit is, therefore, based on the adaptation of the basic cavity and/or electrodes to the

product and the calculation of the required heating power.

Prior to the actual design, a test with the product is usually conducted in a suitable test to

verify the desired heating process.

For Single Mode microwave cavities the possibilities for adapting the cavity to the product

size are very limited as discussed in chapter 3.2.1. As far as microwave Multi-Mode cavities

are concerned, there are hardly any limitations in adjusting the chamber to the product size. In

general, the chamber volume should be several times the product volume and the product

should not be too close to the chamber walls.

In RF heating units, the dimensions of the electrodes must be adjusted to the product and the

location of the product.

For industrial applications the calculation of the required heating power is usually

accomplished by calculating the energy required for the heating process (based on heat-up of

the product and the evaporation energy of the water for drying). This value is modified by an

efficiency factor that is based on experience with the type of cavity used. Although equation

(1) in chapter 3.1.1 could be used for the power calculation, the practical use of the equation

is very limited as usually the exact values for the dielectric constant and the electric field

strength are not known.

3.4.2 Limitations

Limitations for the application of dielectric heating are based on the material, the product size,

the power density and the installed power.

As described in chapter 3.1.1, only lossy dielectric materials can be heated by dielectric

heating. Transparent or reflective materials do not couple to the high frequency.

Depending on the penetration depth of the high frequency into the product material, those

products with a thickness of significantly more than 2 times the penetration depth (penetration

from both sides) may not be heated homogeneously.

The microwave power in a certain cavity volume, i.e. the power density, is limited due to the

fact that the electric field strength may not exceed the breakdown voltage, to prevent arcing

and plasma generation.

The microwave power installed in a single unit is usually not more than a few 100 kW,

depending on the frequency. Usually lower frequency microwaves can have higher powers

than higher frequency units.

RF heating units may have a power of up to 1000 kW in a single unit.

3.5 Future Developments

For industrial microwaves the future developments will include high temperature applications

with hybrid systems, higher frequency microwaves and the application in chemical processes.

High temperature microwave applications, i.e. sintering, in an industrial scale will probably

only be successful using hybrid systems. In a hybrid unit, microwave heating is combined

with a conventional heating method (usually resistance heating or hot air heating). This

combination can reduce some of the difficulties of pure microwave heating, i.e. strong

influence of the product material on the heating, requirement of susceptor pre-heating, and so

on. Especially for large volume batch furnaces and continuous furnaces, the hybrid concept is

the most promising technology available.

Higher frequency microwaves have better heating efficiencies and better coupling than lower

frequency waves. This makes higher frequency microwaves especially suitable for low

volume products and low coupling materials. Although the recent development of a 5.8 GHz

magnetron has been a step into this direction, there is still a huge potential for further

development into higher frequencies.

The use of microwave to improve or alter chemical reactions is the topic of many research

groups around the world. Despite some promising results for certain applications, the

adaptation to industrial use is still very limited. Therefore it is expected, that in a short to

medium term, industrial microwave applications in chemistry will see increasingly

widespread demand.

3.6 Literature

[1] Lange, K.; Löcherer, K.-H.; Meinke-Gundlach Taschenbuch der Hochfrequenztechnik,

4. Auflage 1986, Springer Verlag Berlin

[2] Roussy, G.; Pearce, J.A.; Foundations and industrial applications of microwaves and

radio frequency fields, 1995, John Wiley & Sons

[3] Thuery, J.; Microwaves: Industrial, Scientific and Medical Applications, 1992, Artech

House Inc.

[4] Metaxas, A.C.; Meredith, R.J.; Industrial Microwave Heating, 1988, Peter Peregrinus

Ltd.

[5] Suhm, J., Rapid Wave Microwave Technology for Drying Sensitive Products,

American Ceramic Society Bulletin, May 2000, p. 69-71

[6] Gast, H., Hochfrequenz in der Holzverarbeitungstechnik, Holz. Zentralblatt Messeheft

1979, Ligna/Interzum Nr. 54

[7] DIN EN 55011/ IEC 11 Industrielle, wissenschaftliche und medizinische

Hochfrequenzgeräte (ISM-Geräte) – Funkstörungen – Grenzwerte und Messverfahren

[8] DIN EN 60519-6/ IEC 519-6 Sicherheit in Elektrowärmeanlagen – Teil 6:

Sicherheitsanforderungen für industrielle Mikrowellen-Erwärmungseinrichtungen

[9] Gefahrt, J., Hochfrequenzerhitzung im Holz, Holz Zentralblatt Verlags-GmbH,

Stuttgart, 1963

[10] Buffler, C.R., A new, low power 915 MHz microwave system for efficient industrial

scale-up prototyping, Microwave Industrial Food Processing, Chicago, 1998